The International Trade Facilitators Association (ITFA) has launched the implementation of the “Support to Potential and Established Nature-Positive Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises” (SPEM) project to empower 470 Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The project sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Global Environment Facility-Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) is funded with a seed fund of $50,000, to be released in tranches, as well as other supports in kind.
According to Collins Ezeiruaku Nwosu, Trade Ambassador of the International Trade Facilitation Association, “the project aims to promote sustainable development, environmental conservation, and inclusive economic growth.
The project also seeks to tackle Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar post-harvest losses and support nature-positive MSMEs, which are crucial for the country’s economic growth and environmental sustainability”.
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Nwosu explained that the project was conceived by the ITFA as part of its efforts to promote sustainability and support the Government’s initiative to promote non-oil exports.
“The project adopts the Existing National Programme of National Export Promotion Council (NEPC) programme operating the ‘One State Per Product’ initiative, which aims to promote economic growth and development at the state level”, he noted.
Nwosu emphasised that the project is directly aimed at communities and individuals, enabling them to become sustainable in their productions and improve their livelihoods. “The project will have a significant impact on the environment and the livelihoods of Nigerians, particularly smallholder farmers, fishermen, and miners”, he said.
The project’s objective is to empower at least 470 nature-positive Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, including South West-Lagos State, North Central- Nasarawa State, South-South-Cross River State, Northwest- Kano State, South East- Abia State, North-East- Bauchi State and the FCT).
The project also targets Inclusive Groups with special emphasis on women (30% participation), youth, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities by enhancing their business skills, market access, and preparation to receive global certification.
Nwosu added that the project’s focus on nature-positive organisations would directly impact the environment and the people, promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation.
Rose Agbo, Programme Assistant to the National Coordinator of the GEF-SGP, highlighted the significance of the project, stating that the GEF had been a catalyst for action since its implementation in 1992, working with 183 countries and 18 multilateral agencies to tackle the planet’s biggest environmental challenges.
The GEF has supported beneficiaries with grants valued at $9,150,000 and additional co-financing of $8,950,075. Agbo emphasised that the launch of this project marks a new era of sustainability, where the focus is on bringing out the profit components to sustain the impact and create alternative livelihoods.
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“The UNDP works with non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, and social impact organisations to promote sustainable development and environmental conservation. With the launch of this project, the focus is on creating alternative livelihoods and sources of income generation, enabling people to own and sustain the project’s impact.
“Many of the GEF-SGP’s projects have been upscaled, replicated, and recommended to other development partners, demonstrating the programme’s effectiveness in promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation”, she added.
The ITFA’s SPEM project is a significant step towards promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation in Nigeria. By empowering nature-positive MSMEs and promoting sustainable practices, the project is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of Nigerians and the environment.
As Nwosu aptly put it, “Let’s bring back our groundnut pyramids, if possible, let’s have more rice produced in Nigeria and not complain about palm oil. Let’s not say every time we talk about palm oil, we say, oh, once upon a time, now it’s Malaysia. But we can do the same things here in Nigeria.” The SPEM project is a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential for sustainable development in Nigeria.
